Elite Clubs National League Joins International Celebration Of Women In Football

RICHMOND, Va., May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), the nation's top female youth soccer league, will participate in the inaugural CONCACAF Women's Football Day on Saturday, May 23, 2015. The annual initiative was introduced in April by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) as a celebration of the courage, commitment and passion exemplified by members of CONCACAF's elite women's teams, and to inspire younger generations of players as the future of women's football.

ECNL players take the pitch as part of the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Football Day. The annual international event celebrates the courage, commitment and passion of today's female athletes with the goal of inspiring younger generations of players as the future of women’s football.

The first Women's Football Day will feature simultaneous events executed by the 41 member associations throughout the CONCACAF region. The ECNL will participate in the effort during ECNL New Jersey, the final National Event of the 2015-16 ECNL regular season, which is held in conjunction with the 2015 Players Development Academy (PDA) Girls College Showcase.

"We are proud that ECNL players will be counted among the tens of thousands who will take the pitch on Women's Football Day in celebration of the beautiful game," said Sarah Kate Noftsinger, Commissioner, ECNL. "Knowing that they are a part of changing the game for generations to follow will only further the ambition of these already driven young athletes."

In Zarephath, NJ, 112 of the top female youth teams from across the United States have the opportunity to make one last push to improve their draw position for the ECNL post-season. In total, the 2015 PDA Girls College Showcase includes nearly 250 teams from across the United States competing at the U14 - U17 levels. This convergence of talent attracts top-level collegiate coaches who recognize the event as a premier scouting opportunity.

The ECNL will also host a series of off-field activities at its popular health and well-being destination, The Zone. From warm-up and cool-down to diet and nutrition, The Zone will be staffed with trained professionals to consult with individuals and teams to help them maintain peak performance and learn to better manage the demands of top level athletic training and competition.

At the conclusion of ECNL New Jersey, the focus of the nation's top female teams turns to the ECNL post-season. The ECNL Play-offs will take place June 25-30 in Seattle, WA, just down the road from Vancouver, Canada, a host city of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and site of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final.

"CONCACAF Women's Football Day allows us a unique opportunity to unite with the aim of enhancing the Confederation's football. It is through these initiatives and associated participants such as the Elite Clubs National League, that we can continue to impact and develop the women's sport throughout the region," said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb.

Getting involved is easy and social:

#WFD or #CONCACAFWFD. Throughout Saturday, May 23, 2015, teams, girls, and volunteers are encouraged to use the hashtag #WFD or #CONCACAFWFD. By using the hashtag on social media channels when sharing photos, videos, quotes, comments, etc., users can join in the celebration of Women's Football Day throughout the CONCACAF region.

#SHEBELIEVES. As part of the recently launched #SheBelieves initiative, the U.S. Women's National Team invites fans to share on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram all the ways in which they are working to be the best at whatever they choose to do using the #SheBelieves hashtag. The ECNL encourages users to use the hashtag during World Cup Community Week, which takes place May 19-24, 2015.

About Amazing Young Women™: The Amazing Young Women campaign is a dynamic platform of online and local market activations that showcase and celebrate female role models offering an aspirational focus for all female athletes and teens as they prepare to be our next generation of leaders. Throughout the 2014-2015 season, the ECNL will showcase what it means to have #BeautifulAmbition as exemplified by former and current ECNL players, and will call on all of the nation's women to join the movement to celebrate the endless potential of today's girls.

About Elite Clubs National League: The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) Improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) Improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for the U.S. Soccer youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.